4.3.7

Sawm

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Sawm: Fasting

Sawm is fasting during the month of Ramadan. The focus in Ramadan is on fasting, charity and being subservient to the will of Allah.

Ramadan

Ramadan

  • Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. Muslims follow a lunar calendar. This means that the month of Ramadan will fall at different points in the secular calendar.
  • Tradition teaches that it was during this month that the angel Jibril began to reveal the Qur'an to Muhammad.
  • This is a very important month for spiritual growth. The Qur'an will often be divided into daily readings and completed during the 30 days.
Fasting

Fasting

  • Fasting takes place during daylight hours.
  • Muslims will get up very early to eat before sunrise. In the UK this can be before 4 am in the summer. They will eat and drink enough to keep them going till sunset. In the UK this can be around 9:30 pm in the summer.
  • The fast is broken often with a glass of water and a date. After that, a meal is eaten with family and friends.
Children and those unable

Children and those unable

  • Children will practice fasting but are not obligated until they have reached puberty.
  • Muslim students in schools will be given space to pray and will be allowed to have a quiet space to sit away from tempting school dinners.
  • Muslims who are not physically able to fast, are not required to do so. If they can make up the fasting at a later time they should. If not then they should give extra to charity during the month of Ramadan.
Features of Ramadan

Features of Ramadan

  • As the month is set aside for spiritual growth, there are extra prayers added and also more readings from the Qur'an.
  • The fasting is not just from food. Other physical pleasures are also forbidden during daylight hours. Smoking and sex are also forbidden.
  • To fast for so many hours takes commitment and loyalty.
The Night of Power

The Night of Power

  • The Night of Power is a festival with no fixed date during the month of Ramadan.
  • Tradition says it’s the night when Muhammad received his revelation.
  • Muslims will try to spend the entire night praying and studying the Qur'an.
  • The spiritual benefits from this night are worth the effort from 1000 other nights of prayer and study (see Qur'an chapter 97).
Jump to other topics
1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on Sawm

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What month does Sawm (fasting) occur in?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of the following do Muslims NOT restrict during Ramadan?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Which of the following are true of Sawm (fasting):True / false
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Rak'ahs

Zakah